Hello fellow Greenie! I am going to start asking a question and the end of every chapter on a topic I'm interested in hearing everyone's opinion on, so if you have an opinion or a though I'd love it if you shared it with me. Read the AN at the end for this week's question.
Captain Mapstone was feeling the effects of a late night and an early morning.
The king and his advisors had remained for some time discussing the information they had learned from Karigan. Of course there had been a number of points to address, about what they had learnt. Decisions needed to be made about what action should be, could be taken. Once they had decided to believe Karigan the conversation had taken on an urgent quality. All of them felt a pressing need to do something, and yet there was almost no immediate action they could take.
It was almost too much to bear, Laren though. Knowing that only Karigan's return gave them any hope of saving their country, saving the lives they were responsible for. She wondered many of her riders would die if they failed, and how many would die anyway if they succeeded.
Zachary had likely had similar thoughts, only how much greater the burden must be as head of state, leader of the army and responsible of all the people how called him King. He had been very somber last night and no better when they met this morning. Laren wondered if he spared any of that worry for his mortality, or did she have to worry for both of them.
And worry Laren certainly did.
Details of Zachary's death and been one of the gaps obvious to the captain in her rider's report. Had Zachary be killed by the emperor after he seized control, or had he died earlier in the war -leaving Sacordia weakened with out him to lead them? Knowing him as she did she felt certain he would not have remained safely behind high walls wile his kingdom burned, he would have met his end on the battle field.
Maybe Laren would ask Karigan this morning if she had heard about the king's fate. On second though maybe it would be better to ask Cade about this.
The unusual young man who had returned with Karigan had been the topic of some of last night's discussion. While no-one who had heard the report wanted to question that his loyalty was to Sacordia, Cade's motivation in sacrificing his life in the future to return with Karigan had not been understood. And no wonder, Laren though, for they hadn't known all of the details.
Captain Mapstone was not surprised, after what she had learnt that morning, to find Cade and Karigan sitting together in the mending wing when she arrived to visit her rider.
The news about the couple was inescapable in the rider wing. Mara had apparently learnt about the romance from Karigan and told someone, and then someone had told everyone.
Captain Mapstone knocked on the door to Karigan's room.
"Can I have a word with Rider G'ladheon?" Laren asked.
Cade vacated the seat by the bed and offered it to her.
"Don't go very far Mr. Harlowe, I need to talk to you as well." She said to him.
"Of course, Captain." Cade said and left the room, closing the door behind him.
As she settled her self in the seat Laren took a moment to study Karigan, who sat on the edge of the bed and fidgeted with the edge of shawl wrapped around her.
Laren shared Karigan's apprehension about the conversation they had to have. She was now not convinced she knew anything of her rider's feeling regarding the king. While she could only be happy if Karigan was saved any heartache over Zachary's marriage she was not sure where to start.
Laren almost laughed at that thought, did she think it would have been easier to start if she'd known for certain Karigan had been Zachary's mistress?
"Well." Laren ventured. "I'm glad you said nothing more in front of Tallman and Javian about Ard. I've worked hard to keep what happened as quiet as possible, as far as they are concerned Ard lost his mind in Blackveil."
Karigan nodded at this. "Lynx told you who Ard said asked him to kill me?" She asked quietly.
"Yes." Said Laren briskly. "He was mistaken, Estora knew nothing of the plot."
Karigan visibly relaxed tension she had been carrying in her shoulders.
"The responsible party was Lord Richard Spane, cousin to the Queen, who devised the attempt alone, he has recently been executed for that and other crimes." Laren explained. She didn't think it was necessary to explain to Karigan fully events that where not general knowledge.
"I didn't want to believe it." Karigan said. "I had though we were friends."
Laren nodded. She knew Queen Estora considered Karigan a friend as well.
"Does this mean," Karigan asked cautiously, "That Estora doesn't know about it? Any of it?"
"Not exactly."
Karigan groaned and put her head in her hand.
"Lord Spane told her everything I am afraid." Laren said. "The only thing I don't know is how Spane found out, about… well,"
Blushing rather furiously Karigan looked up with a fierce look in her good eye. "I don't know what you have been told, but I was never his mistress."
"I've been told nothing." Laren said holding up her hand to calm the agitated rider. "I've known about the king's feelings for some time. I worried for your safety, fearing something such as this would happen if knowledge of the situation got out. I don't know what happened between the two of you and I don't need to."
Karigan's discomfort with the situation radiated from her as she stared determinedly at her lap.
Laren though it was probably time to change the subject. "I understand Cade is more than a friend and an ally to you."
Karigan looked up at her surprised. "I, um..."
"I'm glad you have found someone to care for." Laren said. "You deserve to be happy, Karigan. Cade will be offered accommodation in the guest rooms, but if it is your preference he has my permission to stay with you in the rider wing."
"Thank you. I wasn't sure that would be allowed." Karigan smiled.
Laren returned the smile and stood to take her leave. "Get some rest, Karigan."
Cade was waiting for Laren in his room across the hall. He stood as she came in.
"What can I do for you, Captain?" He asked.
"Is it correct that you are something of a scholar, Mr. Harlowe?" Laren asked.
Cade was a little surprised. "Yes, I was studying archeology."
"And do you know old Sacordian?" Laren continued, not entirely sure what archeology was.
Cade answered with a puzzled smile. "Yes, I'd be a pretty poor archeologist if I didn't."
"Then we have a job for you, if you're interested."
"It would be my honor," Said Cade very seriously, "To serve Sacordia and it's King in any way that I can."
Laren didn't need to use her power to know how true those words were. "The job is research. The king needs someone to look for leads on the Dragonfly device, and information about the Sea King." Laren explained.
Cade seemed surprised, and honored. "Why me? Surely there are many able scholars the king could ask."
Not at all sure of the answer to that, the captain said he would have to ask the king. "It was his idea." Zachary had proposed it to her this morning, and asked her to see if Cade was interested in helping.
"How are you settling?" Laren asked. She was a where it was likely going to be quiet an adjustment for Cade, from what she knew of his time it was very different to now.
"Alright, so far." Cade replied.
"I want you to let me know if you have any problems, or need help with anything." Laren said.
She saw in his expression there was something he wanted to ask. "I have trained in sword fighting but only for discipline purposes, I have more ability with weapons from my time. However that won't help me here." Cade said. "I would like to train properly."
"I can arrange that." Laren said. "Was there anything else?"
Cade said no, and thanked her for her help.
As Laren left the mending wing she considered what she though of Cade. She had told Karigan the truth, she was happy she had found someone to care for, someone appropriate, even if it meant she had to break the news about her relationship to the king.
Laren hoped that hearing that Karigan had moved on would help Zachary to do the same. Still she was worried, perhaps she should wait until Zachary had a change to form a good opinion of Cade before she told him. She new she couldn't wait long, or the news would reach him by other means.
AN: Question time!
In this chapter Laren and Karigan discuss Ard and his attempt on her life, so today's question is about this:
Do you think Captain Mapstone told Zachary about Lord Spane's attempt on Karigan's life (could she really not)? And if so do you think she told him what Estora knows?
On another note, I may not be able to update again until after the 13th. It's exam time! Wish me luck?
